(No. 129 - May 10, 2011 – 4:30 p.m. ET) The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, today issued the following statement after leading the Canadian delegation at the G8 Ministerial Meeting on Transatlantic Cocaine Trafficking in Paris, France, on May 10, 2011:

"Canada welcomes France’s initiative to continue working together to address the destructive nature of transatlantic cocaine trafficking, an issue that Canada first introduced at the 2010 Muskoka G8 Summit.

"In 2007, the Government of Canada launched its National Anti-Drug Strategy with a focus on prevention, treatment and enforcement. This strategy reflects a balanced approach that addresses the demand for and supply of illicit drugs.

"Today’s discussions are another example of Canada’s commitment to working with regional players and international organizations to reduce the harmful production, trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs.

"Canada has been engaging in a range of measures to combat organized criminal groups at home and abroad. Our measures include targeted strategies to combat illicit drugs, as well as border enforcement strategies.

"We look forward to our countries’ continued cooperation in partnerships of this nature in the future."

The meeting brought together ministers from the G8 countries, as well as from a number of Latin American and African countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Senegal, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. The meeting was also attended by heads or representatives of major international institutions, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Foreign Affairs Media Relations OfficeForeign Affairs and International Trade Canada613-995-1874Follow us on Twitter.